Though I am not gay, my compliments to The Post for recommending that President-elect Barack Obama give openly gay Bill White “a close look” for secretary of the Navy because of his strong qualifications (“Merit Counts Most,” Editorial, Dec. 21).

White is currently the highly respected director of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

Apparently, The Post is not the completely biased newspaper I thought it to be.

Manny Martin

Manhattan

***

Congratulations on your editorial advocating the appointment of a gay secretary of the Navy if that person otherwise proves qualified for the position.

In the 1970s, when I was in my early 20s, I was the commander of an Army basic-training company. Reflecting the general opinion that society held toward homosexuals, I simply could not see how the military could benefit by allowing gays to serve. In fact, back then, it wasn’t even much of an issue.

With the benefit of 30 years’ experience, I readily admit that I could not have been more wrong.

While your fine editorial referred only to civilians’ being service secretaries, I hope the day soon will be upon us when people of any sexual orientation, just like those of any race, creed and color, will be able to serve openly, just as they have served proudly, but silently, throughout the history of our armed forces.